Author Topic: The Diplomacy Tapes (Read 787 times)

Dowding · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2003, 11:27:09 AM »

I have a question. If a unit tries to move to a sector with opposing enemy forces already there, it is *bounced* and the enemy force is *bounced* out too? But, if the attacking force is supported and the defender is not, the attacker wins the sector and the defender retreats?

Wanker · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2003, 11:28:35 AM »

Fd-ski makes five:

SOB
Schadenfreude
Sandman
Sikboy
fd-ski

Two to go....

Sandman · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2003, 11:35:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
I have a question. If a unit tries to move to a sector with opposing enemy forces already there, it is *bounced* and the enemy force is *bounced* out too? But, if the attacking force is supported and the defender is not, the attacker wins the sector and the defender retreats?

The existing (or holding) unit doesn't bounce. The attacker bounces back to it's original spot. If the attacking force is numerically superior to the defending force, the defending force is dislodged.

Once dislodged, the unit can go to any open adjacent territory except the origin of the invading force.

Dowding · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2003, 11:40:29 AM »

Aaaah I see.

Sandman · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2003, 12:19:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
Aaaah I see.

Also... should add... if the retreating unit does not have an adjacent open territory, that unit is destroyed.

Sandman · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2003, 12:28:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by banana
Fd-ski makes five:

SOB
Schadenfreude
Sandman
Sikboy
fd-ski

Two to go....

Heck... that's enough to create the game now...

Wanker · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2003, 12:30:16 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM
Heck... that's enough to create the game now...

I'd rather wait til we have seven bonifide diehards who will be in for the duration.

Still two to go.

Wanker · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2003, 12:31:45 PM »

BTW Sandy, can you send me press as to where you registered to be a Game Master, and the steps needed to create the game?

Thanks mate!

Engine · « **Reply #23 on:** July 16, 2003, 01:06:37 PM »

I'll give this a shot too. I'm also gonna need the rules.

Tarmac · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2003, 01:25:03 PM »

How often are orders due? Once a week?

Count me in then.

Wanker · « **Reply #25 on:** July 16, 2003, 02:00:15 PM »

SOB
Schadenfreude
Sandman
Sikboy
fd-ski
Engine

Six down, one to go....

Quote

How often are orders due? Once a week?

Tarmac, here's how the turns work for a given year:

Spring movement phase
Spring retreats phase(if any)
Fall movement phase
Fall retreats phase(if any)
Winter build adjustments(either building or removing units)

I was thinking of allowing three days for movement phase planning and diplomacy, and one day allowance for retreat decisions.

So, roughly 2-3 "turns" each week. Along with that, you must have the time to do the actual diplomatic conversations with the six other countries.

I would encourage you to say "yes" only if you can commit to this much time, over the course of about 3-4 months. That's how long these games normally take. Of course, only the surviving countries will actually still be talking and making moves for that long.

Tarmac, still want in? If so, just say the word and you'll be the seventh and final particpant.

Tarmac · « **Reply #26 on:** July 16, 2003, 02:18:40 PM »

Wanker · « **Reply #27 on:** July 16, 2003, 02:25:19 PM »

SOB
Schadenfreude
Sandman
Sikboy
fd-ski
Engine
Tarmac

Ok boys, there we have our seven players. Just give me a day or two to figure out how to be a Game Master and to get the game created. I'll be posting links to Diplomacy so that you all have a chance to read the rules and get a sense of what to expect.

Sandman · « **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2003, 06:24:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by banana
BTW Sandy, can you send me press as to where you registered to be a Game Master, and the steps needed to create the game?

Thanks mate!

I lost the email when I smoked my CPU a month or so ago so... IIRC, you need to send an email to: dpjudge@diplom.org

Here's the scoop on the "create" command:

Quote

What is the CREATE command?
The CREATE command is used to create a new game and become its GameMaster. The syntax is as follows:
CREATE gamename password [ruleVariant]
[status file lines]
[FORM]
A gamename may contain only alphabetic characters (a through z), numeric characters (0 through 9), and the underbar character.

The recognized ruleVariants are: standard, payola, and xtalball. If not provided, the ruleVariant will default to "standard."

Assuming no game with the given gamename exists, a new game will be created, and the sender of the message will be set as the game's Master. If the message contains a line beginning with the word FORM, the game will be immediately set up to accept JOIN commands, etc. Otherwise, the game will be put in preparation mode (in this state, the game is as yet hidden from the world) and the Master will be told how to access the game's status file via the Web.

Lines that appear in the e-mail after the CREATE command (until any SIGNOFF command is encountered -- with the exception of any FORM line) are put into the game's status file as part of its initial content. The various lines that are understood are all described in the status file directive list and in the description of the DPjudge rule set. Exceptions are the GAME, MASTER, and PHASE status file directives, which will be silently ignored -- these cannot be added to the status file by the CREATE command.

(Masters should become familiar with the status file directives and the rule set; these are used to govern all of the different game parameters, including whether to make a game PRIVATE, so that only invited players may JOIN.)

For example, the following e-mail message:

CREATE mygamename masterPassword
desc A standard game on the standard map.
map standard
timing move 2d
Rule no_press coastal_Convoy
rule power_choice
form
Signoff

will create a game (named mygamename) that will be played on the standard map, that will have two-day movement phase deadlines, and that will not allow press but will allow landed fleets to convoy armies. Additionally, players will be able to specify which power they want to play (assuming their choice hasn't been spoken for already) when JOINing the game. Finally, the message specifies that the game should be allowed to form immediately (that is, the Master will not need to visit the game's Web page to cause formation to begin).
Note that any errors in the the lines added to the status file are not reported by the e-mail response. The Master will learn of any such errors when he visits the game page on the Web.

Once he receives the e-mail reply to the CREATE command, the Master also has an opportunity to modify the game status file in any way, altering, deleting, or supplementing any lines he may have provided beneath the CREATE command. Again, consult the status file directive list for details on updating a game status file. By sending extra lines in the CREATE command and/or modifying the status file using the Web page, the Master establishes all game parameters and rules, can provide a description for the game, can set up DUMMY (unplayed) powers, etc., etc.

When the Master decides that the game status file is ready (which could be immediately -- he might not have needed or chosen to add any lines to the status file at all), he can move the game out of preparation mode. This is done by use of a checkbox that appears on the Master's Webpage. The Master may choose to either "Allow the game to form" (meaning that the game will accept JOIN and other similar e-mailed commands) or to "Set the game to active."

This latter option ("Set the game to active") is used only very rarely. It would be used when migrating a game in progress to the DPjudge or when otherwise setting up a position. Before using this option, the Master would first be sure to add all power and player information, set the current game PHASE (this is very important), and provide unit locations and center ownership data in the status file. If the Master does not change the current game phase from FORMING and chooses the "Set game to active" option, the powers in the game will be completely set up as if for the first turn of the game. Only if the Master has changed the game PHASE so that it is no longer FORMING but is instead an actual phase in the game flow, will the status file (presumably containing non-game-start unit positions and center ownership, etc.) be left entirely as-is by the "Set game to active" option. Use of the "Set the game to active" option requires a careful and attentive Master, who must completely set up a game status file (including when the next DEADLINE should fall, etc.).

http://www.floc.net/dpjudge/?page=Email#14